Samantha Barnett Born and raised in Surrey, England, Barnett began working in the hospitality sector as a college student in Cheltenham, England. Her first job was as a receptionist at Hatherly Manor Hotel where she was quickly promoted to front of house manager. She then became sales coordinator and food and beverage manager at Branksome & Horsley Conference Centre in Surrey. Prior to joining the Marriott family, she was director of sales at Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel, Bahrain. Barnett was most recently the director of global sales – TMC and Intermediaries, with Marriott Global Sales, Dubai, UAE. Before that, she was the assistant director of services at Washington, D.C. Renaissance Hotel. In 2011, she was a Marriott Golden Circle, President's Circle, award winner for outstanding sales results and a S.T.A.R. (Strategic Total Account Relationship) performance award recipient. Her passion and leadership are crucial characteristics that will continue to make Memphis Marriott Downtown the ideal Memphis lodging destination.